The things we wish travel insurance would cover

The Momentum UK Team15 April 2014

A new survey reveals the nightmare holiday experiences we wish we could insure against when we book a getaway.

Topping the list of holiday frustrations was delayed departures, with 51% of us wishing we could get an insurance payout for a delayed flight. Forty-four percent of people want travel insurance to cover disappointing accommodation, tied in second place with misleading holiday brochures.

Over a third of us wish we could insure against inedible food, with 15% wanting insurance to cover rude hotel staff.

Most travel insurers wouldn’t dream of offering cover for things like “being plagued by drunk teenagers in the evening”, unpleasant as that may be. Unfortunately the same goes for bad weather.

Caroline Lloyd from Gocompare.com Travel Insurance said:

“For many people, their holiday is not only a chance to relax away from the everyday pressures of life, it’s a big financial commitment they have spent months, if not years, saving for. So it’s not surprising that they want the perfect getaway with no delays, top-notch food and accommodation – not an encounter with Basil Fawlty.

“While our survey takes a light-hearted look at the holiday-horrors people wish they could insure against, it gives us the opportunity to highlight the importance of travel insurance in protecting holidaymakers against the unexpected - from freak weather, illness or injury, or theft or loss of baggage.

“The best time to buy travel insurance is as soon as possible after you book your holiday. This will not only ensure you’re covered for medical emergencies or lost baggage while on holiday, but will allow you to claim if you have to cancel your trip following an unforeseen event or potential serious disruption to your travel plans such as transport strikes or natural disasters.”

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